How can I bow my head and serve the powerful officials?

Qinghe walked in carrying an exquisite mahogany lunch box. His eyes fell on Sheng Yiren's attire. Thinking back to what she had just said, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you planning to confess this to Brother Shen with this attire?"

"No." Sheng Yiren shook her head to deny.

She was not like Su Qinghe who treated Shen Yuan the same as always. They had not seen each other for many years. Although she still trusted Shen Yuan, she was not as brave as before to tell him everything. Moreover, it was easy for women to be excluded and criticized when they got involved in the business world. What's more, she was a daughter of an official family and could not easily reveal her identity to others.

The reason why she trusts Su Qinghe is because Su Qinghe is willing to take risks to support her, and the two of them truly grew up together, have a deep friendship, and know each other very well. To be honest, she even knows what color underwear Su Qinghe is wearing today.

Su Qinghe gently placed the mahogany food box on the tea table, slowly opened the lid, and asked, "If it's not Brother Shen, then who did you meet this time? And why did you call me here?"

"Do you still remember that I once said I wanted to open up a north-south trade route?" Sheng Yiren adjusted his robe and sat down again, speaking slowly and solemnly, "Half a year ago, an official in the court wrote to me, saying that he had a deep friendship with the governor of Yizhou, Liang. He received a letter from the governor saying that he intended to purchase grain from the north to help Yizhou out of its predicament. He learned that I had connections with chambers of commerce in various places, so he asked me if I wanted to open up a north-south trade route to make a lot of money."

"His idea coincides with mine. He said he would spread the news of Yizhou's food shortage for me. As for whether I can convince the Chamber of Commerce from all over the country to go to Yizhou and open up trade routes, it depends on me."

Su Qinghe nodded, "You did mention this, but I didn't hear you continue talking about it, so I didn't pursue it any further."

"Yes, because this matter developed quite smoothly. Not only did it facilitate this matter, but it also persuaded Governor Liang to reduce taxes for northern merchants. Now many merchants have established themselves in Yizhou, laying the foundation for the smooth flow of north-south trade routes." Sheng Yiren said with a smile.

"Then who you are going to meet today is..." Su Qinghe already had an idea in his mind.

Sheng Yiren nodded, "Yes, it's that official."

"I see." Su Qinghe stroked the teacup slightly, "Then why did you call me here?"

Sheng Yiren looked at him apologetically, "Qinghe, I know that it is inconvenient for you to meet with officials in the court because of your status, but they just specifically asked for you to be present..."

Calling for his presence?

Su Qinghe was stunned for a moment. In the eyes of the merchants, he, a bastard of the Su family who had no official position but was quite favored by the head of the family, was much easier to approach than those real talents of the Su family and more suitable for cooperation. Therefore, with his identity as a face, Sheng Yiren's business path was not too bumpy.

But in the eyes of the officials in the court, he was just a chess piece on the chessboard of marriage alliance and his value was nothing special. Why would they suddenly ask him to be present?

Or is this another evil trick played by some playboy?

"Do you know who that official is?" Su Qinghe felt a little uneasy. Judging from the situation, the other party was obviously coming for him.

"I don't know either. But don't worry, the other party said he just wanted to see you. If you don't want to stay when you see him, you can leave at any time." After Sheng Yiren said this, she glanced at Su Qinghe secretly.

Su Qinghe lowered his eyes. He didn't know why he felt something was wrong. He even wanted to leave as soon as possible. But when he met Sheng Yiren's pleading eyes, he could only sigh and said, "Okay."

Sheng Yiren immediately smiled happily, "Don't worry, don't forget that I'm a businessman, my intuition is always very accurate, this official must be a good person!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door of the private room.

"A good man is here!" Sheng Yiren quickly stood up, cleared her throat, straightened her robe again, and walked towards the door with a man's pace.

She took a deep breath, her eyes suddenly became bright, a warm and flattering smile filled her eyes, and she opened the door in front of her.

The next second, her smile froze on her face.

She took a steady look at the person in front of her, and almost thought she was dazzled. The next moment, she slammed the door shut.

Su Qinghe heard the noise and turned around, asking with concern, "What's wrong?"

Sheng Yiren opened her mouth wide, her face filled with despair: I! Am! Blind!!

Su Qinghe:?

The door of the private room was knocked a few more times. Sheng Yiren shuddered all over and forced herself to open the wooden door. Then she knelt on the ground and shouted solemnly, "I greet the Second Prince! May His Highness live a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!"

"Snapped--"

The teacup in Su Qinghe's hand fell to the ground in an instant and broke into three pieces.

He looked up in fear, and was met with a pair of extremely beautiful phoenix eyes, and a peerless face with lips curled up in a wanton and mischievous smile.

Finished!

Su Qinghe's head buzzed.

How could it be the Second Prince?

He had just pretended to be sick and rejected the invitation from Chenghuan Palace this morning, but now he appeared in the teahouse to meet Sheng Yiren. Isn't this a clear crime of deceiving the emperor!

Su Qinghe suddenly stood up from his chair, knelt down in front of the door, and said in a trembling voice, "I… greet the Second Prince! May Your Highness live a thousand years, a thousand thousand years, a thousand thousand years!"

The slender body crawling on the ground was trembling like a newborn hairless animal. Su Qinghe closed his eyes tightly, feeling panic-stricken, not knowing whether he would be able to see the morning sun the next day.

Sheng Yiren lowered her head and closed her eyes tightly, shocked in her heart: Why is the Second Prince here!

This teahouse was neither full nor reserved, and the private room was just an ordinary one of mediocre quality. It was impossible for the Second Prince to come and request this private room specifically for these reasons.

What would be the reason?

After eliminating all possible answers, the least likely answer becomes the true answer.

His Royal Highness the Second Prince was the official who exchanged letters with her!

No wonder he can spread news everywhere and make Prefect Liang obey his orders, and even issue the prefectural seal to reduce commercial taxes for ten years. With such great power, only the second prince who followed Shen Yuan to Yizhou could have it!

Recalling what the northern merchants had told her when they returned, Sheng Yiren couldn't believe that the person who had solved the problem of 30,000 refugees gathering together and even made such an astonishing statement as "when one side is in trouble, all sides will come to its aid" was actually the mediocre and arrogant Second Prince in the rumors!

In fact, he had already communicated with her about the transfer of grain from the north to the south before she set out for Yizhou. Such foresight and wisdom... Sheng Yiren's body trembled slightly, and she felt as if she had unknowingly known something incredible.

The second prince... is he hiding his abilities?

why?

"Everyone, get up."

Outside the door, Xie Chengze raised his hand to signal the two to stand up, then stepped into the private room and sat down at the main seat at the tea table very unceremoniously.

His indifferent gaze fell on Su Qinghe who was still kneeling on the ground. He raised his eyebrows slightly and said in a playful tone, "Mr. Su, it's quite difficult to invite you?"